Getting IB, DLA AND IS???

alexiawest

Thanks for everyones replies, so I AM entitled to IS then? And I should get £21.90?

And being on DLA middle rate qualifies me for the severe disability premium? Do they count both the disability premium and the severe premium? I thought where premiums were concerned, you only get 1 premium - the highest one applicable to your situation?

Why has it all got to be so confusing, and why do they make it so haqrd to get these benefits, surely when someone claims DLA, their award letter should also tell them that they are now eligble for other benefits.

Do you think there is any chance of it being back dated given that the only reason Ive not claimed sooner, is that they told me I was not entitled, when in fact I am?

You guys have been a great help, I really appriciate it :T

zappster1966

Yeppers, you can get both Disability & Severe Disability Premium at the same time. In fact, if you got your DLA(Care) increased to the higher rate there's a third premium, Enhanced Disability Premium, which can be paid in addition to the two others.

Confusing, huh ? I agree, it isn't straightforward.

Income Support claims can be backdated up to 3 months if you give them a good enough reason to do so. If someone at the Job Centre told you that you wouldn't qualify & shouldn't bother applying then that's you been misinformed & you have a good case for backdating.

However, if they told you that you weren't entitled when your DLA(Care) was at the lower rate then they would have been correct ... you should have applied for Income Support again as soon as you went onto DLA (Care) middle rate ... the onus is placed on you to re-apply, not on them to inform you about possible entitlements, unfortunately.

Anyways. Hope you put that claim in this afternoon otherwise you've lost £3 !!

hopalong53

Hi everyone my first post tonight and many thanks for encouraging me to register with the caring posts I have read. I shall apologise in advance for my little rant! However, I feel very passionate about this subject so here goes:eek:

I too am disabled and have had a struggle with the guilty feelings of maybe taking some kind of payment that I really shouldn't have ie DLA, IS, ICB. I had a very good job and really would chose to work again if I could. Hard enough feelings to come to terms with you would think.

I become extremely angry and frustrated with the current "system" we have in place and I believe that guilty feelings are induced by the bully boy tactics of the government. How often do we read (well I do) in the press, or see a programme on tv, dedicated to doubting the word of disabled people? How many are shown to be taken to court for "just" being in pain or not informing DLA of a change in their circumstances.(possibly "just" a good day!) People are held up as examples. A constant barage of tv adverts pushing the point that "they are watching us", "we will know" etc. coupled with with the mailings received about going back to work and how to acheive this). I don't know about you but when one of these flyers comes through the door, it only serves to compound my feelings of inadequacy, and then guilt when they go in the bin.

When I have a good day and feel that I can go out and walk (albeit limited), I don't want to be looking over my shoulder for a man sitting in a car, with a camera lens, out to prove that I really am not disabled and therefore 100% better than my claim form for DLA stated. This treatment is barbaric to say the least and frightens people into giving up their benefits in haste as a preferential route to going to court/prison. Bad enough that we all suffer in our own ways, but to be humiliated, is quite frankly, abusive. Further, is he a Doctor....no. A mere pen pusher, who quite revels in his tick box little world.

What is going on? DLA Applications take into account your good and not so good days and is awarded based on the information provided. This new regime therefore, to save the government money, is contradicting this well established, hard to achieve benefit system. In place for the genuine disabled person, whatever their disability. It is though confining disabled people to their disability, instilling fear and robbing us of an ableness that we may experience on good days, for fear of the big brother camera lens.

Maybe we should voice this with our local MP. What do you think?

Thanks for taking the time to read my book!!!_pale_

The_walrus

Variability of a condition has always been a problem for claimants, decision makers and tribunals alike. I always encourage people to fill the claim form in on a "bad" day. My experience at representing tribunals suggests that most of them simply try to make a judgement on how many bad days there are in a given period, so e.g. if you are "bad" for more then 3 days a week you get an award. If not you don't. A bit simplistic but that's often what it comes down to.

hopalong53

Thanks Walrus but how exactly is chronic pain measured? Does it come down to how the panel feel on the day of the tribunal or, is it all up to the claimant to prove? A bit of both you would think but hey.....soap box has been put away today. I find it all so exhausting!

Hopalong53

alexiawest

I found IS claim forms online to comeplete and send to DWP, I called them to let them know they were being sent and the lady I spoke to said that if my claim was awarded then it would start from the date of my call to them ( unless backdating is approved in which case from the date the backdating is granted ).

Does anyone know how long this is likely to take? I cant believe I have been struggling all this time and I was actually entitled to more.

People think IB and DLA is a lot of money, and okay it does seem a lot, but on top of everyday expenses, I pay people to do things for me when I am having bad days, which is 5-6/7 lately and the extra money would really help. I cant believe that when you claim a benefit like DLA, your award letter wouldnt then go on to tell you other benefitd this might open up to you.

Anyway, thanks for the advice everyone has given, I will let you know what happens.

Lexie x

alexiawest

Hi, just to update....

I recieved an award letter and a giro yesterday. I have been awarded income support!

I got a call Monday asking me to confirm some things and the lady said she was passing my claim on to another team for the back dating, then I recieved the letter Thursday.

My letter has awarded me from 6/2/09 at £21.90.

My letter mentions nothing about my request for 3 months backdated, will that come seperatly?

Im a bit miffed because I checked back and found that my DLA awards have meant I have been entitled to IS for 3 years which means I have lost around £3,000 because someone made a mistake when working out the claim I put in before.

Its naughty that they cap backdating at 3 months, fair enough if it had been my mistake, but it wasnt, it was theirs.

Now I just have to wait and see if I get the 3 month backdating request granted.

Thanks to everyone who helped me before, if I hadnt had advice from those on this forum I doubt I would have tried applying again.